Analog input device located in the primary typing area of a keyboard

ABSTRACT

A sensor device is placed either underneath a key cap of a key on a keyboard or in between two keys on a keyboard so that cursor movement may be carried out from the keyboard itself. If the sensor device is placed underneath a key cap, then the key cap is a manual cursor controller. If, on the other hand, the sensor device is placed in between two keys, a joystick is used as a manual cursor controller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of analog input devices forinputting information into a computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Analog input devices for inputting information into a computer are usedto enter discrete information by pressing, for example, discrete, binarykeys. Also, analog input devices may be used as pointing devices toenter one or more channels of analog information, such as, for example,information relating to the force applied to an analog pointing device,such information to be used, for example, to control the position orvelocity of a cursor on an associated computer monitor screen.

The present invention relates specifically to analog input devices forperforming a class of mixed tasks in which an operator wishes to enterboth discrete information by pressing discrete binary keys and, atalmost the same time, or in rapid alternation, to enter one or morechannels of analog information. Typical examples of such a class ofmixed tasks include:

1. text editing on a computer, alternating focusing on a point on thescreen with entering or deleting text at that point.

2. air traffic control-like applications, in which a point on the screenis selected for read-out or entry of data.

3. menu-driven computer applications, in which selection from a menualternates with selection of points on the screen remote from the menu,and data entry at those points.

For this class of tasks it is common to use an analog pointing device,for example, a mouse, which is located on a separate surface immediatelyadjacent to a discrete binary keyboard input device. The analog pointingdevice is moved around on the surface and a cursor is correspondinglymoved around a computer screen.

Since the analog pointing device is not in the primary area of thekeyboard, the operator is required to move his/her hand back and forthbetween the keyboard and the pointing device, with significant resultingdelay and distraction.

In order to reduce the time involved in the back and forth motion of anoperator's hand between the typing keyboard and the analog pointingdevice, various approaches for combining the typing keyboard and thepointing device have been proposed. One such approach involves the dualuse of standard keys on the keyboard as cursor control keys. In order totell the standard keys to function as cursor control keys, a modecontrol switch, such as a SHIFT key, had to be hit. If the mode controlswitch was not hit, then the keys would operate in a normal manner toinput an appropriate character into the computer. This approach provedunsatisfactory in the art because of the mental load imposed on anoperator in remembering which standard keys will perform which cursorcontrol operation.

Once the above-mentioned approach was abandoned, separate cursor controlkeys became almost universal. However, with the separate cursor controlkeys, only limited cursor control can be accomplished, as compared tousing a mouse, since the cursor control keys operate in a discretebinary manner.

Another approach involved an analog input device located within orimmediately adjacent to the standard keyboard area, but located separatefrom the standard keys. Within this class are various proposed andcommercial devices intended to be operated by the thumb, and locatedbelow the space bar. A common restriction on all of these devices is theseverely limited space available in the standard keyboard area.

The next step of development involved placing sensors, such as straingauge sensors, adjacent to a particular standard key on the keyboard asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,577 to Straayer et al. With such anarrangement, when the key is pressed in a normal direction, i.e.,vertically downwards and perpendicular to the key cap surface, the keyperforms its normal function of inputting a specific character. However,if the key is moved horizontally or vertically, i.e., parallel to thekey cap surface, then the strain gauge sensors sense such motion and thecursor is correspondingly moved on the screen.

A problem, however, has existed with respect to the analog input deviceconstructed in accordance with the U.S. Patent cited above.Specifically, a different key structure must be substituted for anoriginal key structure in order to use the key as both a data entrydevice and an analog pointing device. More specifically, a key structurewhich enables the use of the required sensors is needed. Thus, it isdifficult to retrofit an existing keyboard to make use of the cursorcontrol function. Another problem with this device is that only twodegrees of freedom, that is, vertical and horizontal (y and x), of thekey are allowed to be sensed. Furthermore, the cursor is constrained tobe controlled only by a data entry key.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to combine an analog pointingdevice and a data entry device into the same area in such a way that anexisting data entry device may be easily retrofitted to produce the dataentry device/analog pointing device combination.

A second object of the present invention is to combine an analogpointing device and a data entry device into the same area in such a waythat the keys of the data entry device are not necessarily constrained,as in the conventional devices mentioned above, to be used as the analogpointing device. Instead, the analog pointing device may be locatedbetween the keys of the data entry device.

A third object of the present invention is to combine an analog pointingdevice and a data entry device into the same area in such a way thatmore than two degrees of freedom of pointing device movement may besensed, thus, allowing for increased control of cursor movement.

The above objects are attained by providing a generally rectangularshaped sensor assembly, including a plurality of sensors, which may beplaced either directly underneath an existing key of a data entry deviceor in between two keys of a data entry device. When the sensor assemblyis placed underneath an existing key, the key is used as the analogpointing device. When the sensor assembly is placed in between two keys,a separate joystick is used as the analog pointing device.

The sensors in the sensor assembly are arranged in such a way that theycan sense up to six degrees of freedom of the analog pointing device.Specifically, these degrees of freedom are the x, y and z axialdirections as well as the rotational directions around these x, y and zaxial directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b show one embodiment of a sensor apparatus of the presentinvention, such an apparatus being of a direct compression type;

FIGS. 2a through 2d show another embodiment of a sensor apparatus of thepresent invention, such an apparatus being of a cantilever type;

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a joystick according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a joystick according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A key in a normal keyboard is a rigid object with six degrees offreedom, which may be thought of as a force vector and a torque vector,each of three components. In its normal function, as a data entrydevice, the key responds to one component of the force vector, say the zcomponent, perpendicular to the plane of the keyboard; it is constrainedin the other five components. These are therefore available for analoginput, provided the resultant displacement of the key does not result ininterference between adjoining keys. Using techniques such as thosedisclosed below, forces and torques can be measured with displacementssmall compared to the tolerances and spacings ordinarily found inkeyboards, making five analog quantities available in principle. Inaddition, the z component is available to a limited extent, since whenthe key is at one or the other limit of its travel additional force inthat direction has no effect on its normal function and may be used asan analog input; once the key is fully depressed, additional downwardforce may be measured and used.

On the other hand, the integral spacing of the usual keyboard makes itimpractical for the fingers of the operator to grasp a key, so attentionmay be restricted to forces applied to a key by a single fingertipapplied to the top surface, which however may be shaped (cupped, ridgedetc) to facilitate the transmission of a wider range of forces. It seemsclear, however, that the applied force must have a significant componentin the -z (down) direction, and that any applied torque must beaccompanied by such a force (to establish frictional purchase). Sincethe useful range of forces/torques must extend well above threshold forfingertip detection, and the force threshold, the point where enoughforce has been applied to tell the key to enter data, for the primarykey operation is within a small factor of that threshold, it can beassumed that useful analog input will occur only in a state with the keyin its `down` position, and with an applied force having a -z componentgreater than the operating threshold of the key. In the followingdiscussion attention will be focused on the measurement of appliedforces with a -z component greater than the key operating threshold andto applied torques about the z axis. However, it is within thecontemplation of the invention to include all six degrees of freedom.

Thus, four independent analog quantities may be entered through asuitably modified key in a normal keyboard, in addition to its normalkey entry function (although not necessarily simultaneously). The commonanalog input devices used with personal computers (mouse, joystick,trackball, touch screen, lightpen, etc.) provide two such quantities; toreplace their function, two is sufficient, and one may argue from theabsence in common use of higher-dimensional input devices that there islittle or no application for them. Nevertheless, implementations aregiven which provide all four quantities, as well as simpler ones whichare restricted to two.

To use a key for analog input, two approaches are distinguishable:

1. substitute a different structure for a key, which will besufficiently similar to the original key for normal key entry purposesbut which embodies the required additional sensors (this approach isused in the Straayer et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,577);

2. add sensors to the key and/or keyboard without interfering with theoperation of the key. Approach 2 has the advantage that, whenapplicable, it can be used to retrofit existing keyboards with minimalexpense and effort.

The above analysis treats the key as if constrained at its `center ofmass`, and thus equivalent to a free body. The actual constraint systemis more complicated, and differs radically between keyboards. Typicallythe key is constrained by a sliding cylindrical bearing (`loosebearing`) which allows free movement over a range of perhaps 0.2 inchesin the z direction and small movements, on the order perhaps of 0.01inches, in the other (5) degrees of freedom. An alternative, notobserved in current personal computer keyboards, would be a `tightbearing` with the same freedom of movement in the z direction but nosignificant freedom in any other. The implementation of the measurementsystem must be adapted to the type of constraint; generally, the smallmovements of a `loose bearing` key may be further constrained andmeasured to determine forces on it, while for a `tight bearing` key itis necessary to measure strains in the key's own constraint system.

A general class of implementations takes the key as a rigid body, andapplies constraints to it, with means to measure forces on theconstraints resulting from forces and torques applied to the key. Auseful subclass applies the constraints only when the key is in its`depressed` position. A subclass of these, in turn, may be characterizedas implementations in which the key is a truncated rectangular pyramid,with the base downward and parallel to the plane of the keyboard, andwith its `normal` key-function movement roughly normal to that plane. Asensing chip, to be described below, is placed so that at the bottom ofthe key's travel, and just before reaching any other stop, the fourcorners of the base of the key come to rest on `anvils` placed on thefour corners of the chip, which constrain its further motion. Any forcevector now applied to the top surface of the key which passes throughthe base will result in force on each of the anvils with a positivedownward component. If the downward component on each anvil is measured(4 quantities), a 3-vector is (over-)determined which measures the forceapplied to the top of the key in magnitude and direction. Any additionalmeasurement(s) of force on the anvils in a horizontal direction willyield the torque about the vertical (z) axis.

The above discussion implicitly assumes that the key's normal constraintsystem may be disregarded. Assuming that this constraint system is asliding cylindrical bearing with a vertical axis of motion (`loosebearing` case above), its action in the region of interest may beanalyzed, when the key is near but not at its maximum downwardexcursion, its bottom surface having come in contact with the sensingchip. The four anvils have a small and approximately equal compliance,such that the key, in contact with them, can move through distanceswhich are small compared to the tolerances of its normal constraintsystem. Any such motion can be analyzed as a composition of a verticalmotion, a rotation about a horizontal axis, and a rotation about avertical axis. For the applied forces of interest (vector force appliedto top surface of the key and passing through its base, plus rotationabout its vertical axis) the horizontal axis of rotation may be taken aspassing through the point of contact of the key constraint (at the upperend of the bearing) and the vertical axis as the vertical axis of thekey, with negligible error (to be demonstrated). This justifies theneglect of the bearing as affecting the analog input for the purposes ofhuman input with immediate feedback, though not for precise measurementpurposes.

A class of implementations can be characterized as consisting of asensing unit (chip) which fits between the base of the key and thekeyboard base (with required cutout for the bearing structure of thekey), and carrying on its four corners sensing devices (load cells)capable of transducing at least vertical and perhaps horizontal forcesapplied to them into electrical or other signals, together with signalprocessing means, located either locally or remotely or both, totransform these signals into signals appropriate for input to anassociated computer, or other intended application. In a homologousclass of implementations, the load cells are mounted on the keyboardbase (i.e. the structure with respect to which the key moves) which thenreplaces the structural function of the chip. These implementationsshare the advantage that they can be added to an existing keyboard withlittle or no modification of the keyboard itself, or even in most casesof the individual key, and retain unaltered the typing action and feelof the keyboard.

Now, a description of the load cells will be given. A number ofdifferent implementations are disclosed. For the present group ofimplementations, to which the immediately preceding discussion applies,it is required that the load cells be relatively rigid, withdisplacements of at most a few thousandths of an inch under workingload.

Cantilever structures, as shown in FIG. 2a through 2d will now bedescribed. The cantilever beams 1, which carry the anvils (3 in FIG. 2cand 3a-3d in FIG. 2a) on their outer ends, are bent by the appliedforce. The distinguishing feature of this class of embodiments is thatthe element 1 which resists the key force is distinct from the sensorproper 12.

Now, strain gauge sensors will be described as an example of thecantilever structure shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. The resulting strain in oneor more surfaces of the beam is detected as the resulting change in theresistance of an attached strain gauge, by well-known techniques.Miniature semi-conductor strain gauges are appropriate for thisfunction. Four gauges 12, one on the upper or lower surface of eachbeam, will provide the vertical forces; gauges similarly located on thesides of the beams will give axial torque, if required. Conventionaltechniques would require at least two gauges, on opposite surfaces, withperhaps two more oriented across the direction of strain, for precisionmeasurement, temperature compensation, etc. However for the presentpurposes, especially if only the horizontal component of the appliedforce is required to be measured, one on each beam suffices; since thefour gauges so used are in similar temperature environments, they can bemade to be mutually compensating. If the vertical and torque forces arerequired, more gauges may be required for high accuracy and/ortemperature compensation. The resistances may be measured and theresulting signals completely or partially processed by integratedcircuitry located on the chip, or by circuitry located at a distance,and connected by an appropriate cable, which can be small enough to fitinto the free space in most current keyboards.

In FIGS. 2a-2d, the reference numeral 2 refers to a rigid base of thecantilever assembly. Reference numeral 4 refers to a rigid part of thebase which does not appreciably move. The part 4 simply connects thecantilever arm 1 to the base 2. The parts 1, 2 and 4 are all one piece.Reference number 13 represents the gap that exists between thecantilever arm 1 and the base 2. Reference numerals 6-10 show terminalpoints which are holes for receiving the necessary wiring used to relateinformation from the strain gauges 12 to the outside of the sensor chip.Reference numeral 25 refers, in general, to the cantilever-typeembodiment.

In FIG. 2a, the reference number 5 refers to a section of the base 2which is hollowed out so as to be able to accommodate the conventionallower part 15 of the key-mechanism of a keyboard base 16 as shown inFIG. 2d.

FIGS. 2a through 2d show a plan view, an end view, a side view and aperspective view, respectively, of the cantilever-type embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2d also shows the relationship between the inventivecantilever-type sensor assembly and a conventional key assembly of adata entry keyboard. As shown in FIG. 2d, the inventive cantilever-typesensor assembly is simply placed in between the conventional key cap 14and the conventional lower part 15 of the key mechanism of the keyboardbase 16. Therefore, according to the present invention, existingkeyboards may be easily retrofit to accommodate the cursor movingfunction.

The above-described cantilever-type embodiment may use other types ofsensors besides strain gauge sensors. The following is a list of othertypes of sensors which may be used as alternative to the strain gaugesensors described above.

a. Piezo-electric sensors: A strip of piezo-electric material is bondedto one or more surfaces of each beam, as in the strain gauge case.Bending of the beam results in both bending and stain in thepiezo-electric material, with resultant displacement of charge. This isdetected either as a voltage or directly by an operational amplifier inan integrator mode, the resulting signal providing the required forcemeasurement.

b. Magnetic reluctance sensors: A magnetic flux circuit runs through thecantilever arm 1, the gap 13 between the anvil end of the arm and thebase 2, the base 2, and the anchorage 4 of the arm. Flux is supplied bya permanent magnet located in any part of this circuit (except the gap),most conveniently the base 2. All of these parts are composed of amaterial with high magnetic permeability, such as permalloy. Movement ofthe arm 1 results in a change in the gap, with resultant change in theflux in the circuit; this change results in a voltage in a coilsurrounding some part of the circuit remote from the permanent magnet.This is input to an integrating operational amplifier, or circuit withsimilar function, the output of which gives a measure of the position ofthe anvil, and hence of the force on it. This is similar in principle tothe familiar `variable reluctance` phonograph pickup.

c. Variable inductance sensors: A coil is located in the base 2immediately below the end of cantilever arm 1 carrying the anvil 3, andthe bottom of that arm carries a high-permeability `core` which isinserted into and withdrawn from the coil as the arm moves up and down.The resulting variation in the inductance of the coil from its value inthe `zero` position of the arm is detected by any of the well-knowncircuits for this purpose.

d. Variable capacitance sensors: One plate of a capacitor is located onthe base 2 under the end of the cantilever arm 1 carrying the anvil 3,and the other is located on the lower surface of that arm. Thecapacitance varies with the position of the arm, and its deviation fromthe `zero` condition may be measured by any of the well-known methods.Due to the small size of the capacitance in question and the magnitudeof stray effects, it is desirable to locate the first stage of therequired circuitry on the chip, in proximity to the sensor.

In most of these cases, drift may occur, and it will be desirable toreset the detector circuitry to zero whenever it is known that the forceon the anvils is zero, for example when the key is in its `up` position.This drift correction will be described with respect to the next groupof embodiments to be discussed below.

The next group of embodiments relate to direct compression load cells.Here the sensor elements themselves support the key forces. Most ofthese only measure force in the -z direction, and do not easily providethe torque component. The cantilever-type embodiments provide for muchmore versatility, in terms of degrees of freedom.

With respect to the direct compression load cells, the first embodimentuses piezo-electric sensors. A layer 30 of piezo-electric material asshown in FIG. 1b (e.g. a barium titanate formulation such as PZT8 orPZT15) located directly under each anvil 3, and activated by directcompression, supplies an adequate signal to drive a very-high-impedanceinput amplifier such as an FET operational amplifier as is well known inthe art. By operating the amplifier in its integrator mode, with theinput (and the voltage across the piezo-electric material) held at zero,problems of drift and leakage are minimized. The resulting sensingstructure is simple, very thin, and has a stable, robust output givingan accurate measurement of downward force on the four anvils. Problemsof temperature sensitivity are minimized if only the horizontalcomponents of the key force are required, due to mutual compensationamong the four sensors.

Another feature of the invention will now be described with respect toFIG. 1b. This feature has as its goal to correct drift problems thatoccur with respect to the voltage developed across the piezo-electricmaterial. More specifically, in the past it was difficult to get thevoltage back to zero when an operator takes her hand off of a key. InFIG. 1b, when a key is pushed down a shorting switch 35 moves away fromthe piezo-electric material and an open circuit is created between thepiezo-electric material and ground. When an operator takes her fingeroff of the key,a short circuit is created by the shorting switch 35between the piezo-electric material and ground.

In the direct compression load cell embodiment discussed above anddiagrammed in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the sensor elements were described asbeing piezo-electric sensors. Other types of sensors may also be used;the following are examples of other types of direct compression loadcell sensor types.

1. Piezo-resistive sensors: A layer of material located directly underthe anvil responds to applied force and the resulting compression with achange in resistance, which is measured by well-known means to providethe required force measurement. Candidate materials are 1. properlydoped and oriented silicon crystal, as in the available semi-conductorstain gauges, and 2. any of a number of variations on the venerablescheme of the carbon microphone, including stacked and random graphitefibers, plastic foams coated with graphite, and various `conductiverubber` formulations which provide a fine-grained array of conductors,more or fewer of which are contacted depending on the force applied.

2. Resistive fluid sensors: Movement of the anvil displaces fluid from athin layer beneath it. The displaced fluid moves into a pressurizedreservoir--an elastic bladder and a gas-filled enclosed space are twopossibilities; the pressure of the fluid carries the load of the keyforces, and the thickness of the layer under an anvil is a measure ofthe force on that anvil. The thickness can be measured, for example by:

a. the electrical resistance through the layer, using a fluid with anappropriate conductivity (e.g. a weak electrolyte). The signalprocessing requirement are identical to those of other sensors usingpiezo-resistance.

b. the optical thickness of the layer, using a fluid of appropriateopacity. Measurement can be by a light source and detector in the base,with the upper surface of the fluid cavity (the bottom of the anvil)made reflective, or alternatively with either light source or detectorplaced in the anvil structure.

c. the fluid may be a gas of appropriate opacity, in a bellows, piston,or bladder structure. Bromine comes to mind, though something lesschemically active would be preferable.

There are certain drawbacks to the use of a key as the analog inputdevice, principally that some signal must be given to the computer as tohow to interpret forces applied to it--when is it a key, and when ajoystick. For example, a mode key must be depressed. Therefore, threefurther alternative classes of embodiments of the idea, `analog inputdevice within or near the primary typing area` will be now disclosed inwhich there is no need for the use of a mode key.

1. A fixed joystick, to be operated by the fingertip, located in asuitable position on the keyboard, for example in the space between theG and H keys of a standard QWERTY keyboard, and extending upapproximately to, or slightly above, the level of the key caps in theirnormal, or up, position. Some minor modification of the adjoiningkeycaps may be required. In this position it will not interfere withnormal typing, nor is it likely to be hit accidentally, and may functionas a normal joystick, in much the same way as the key joysticksdisclosed above, but without the need for mode switching. The joystickmay also be located between two thumb-activated keys on a keyboardcommonly used in airplanes. The simplest implementation of the fixedjoystick is probably as a simple shaft, anchored in the keyboard base,with piezo-resistive miniature strain gauges on its four sides. Otherimplementations could involve placing one of the sensor apparatuses ofFIGS. 1 and 2 or any other variation discussed above in between two keysof a keyboard and using a joystick to apply forces to the sensorapparatus. It can be implemented as an add-on, inserted into an existingkeyboard with at most modification of the adjacent key caps.

2. In case the fixed joystick turns out to be a hazard in typing afterall, being struck accidentally while typing, a possible variant is ajoystick which will pop up when a mode signal is triggered in aconvenient position between the keys. This however does require themode-switch signal, which is the principle drawback of the use of a keyas a joystick. Its implementation is fairly routine, using a solenoidfor erection.

3. Finally, a conventional miniature joystick can be located adjacent tothe primary typing area, for example just above and to the right,permitting simultaneous use of the joystick and (one-handed) typing.Again, any of the above implementation technologies may be used, withadditional freedom from space restrictions. An extension piece could beattached to the keyboard to place the joystick below the space bar, forexample, thus allowing an existing keyboard to be easily retrofitted.

In the embodiments just discussed above, the joysticks mentioned may beof two different types. One type of joystick has, at the top, a smallsphere that can be grabbed on to. The small sphere 41 as shown in FIG. 3is mounted on a stalk 42. The sphere may be easily manipulated with thefingertips to provide for all six degrees of freedom with an appropriatearray of sensors located either inside the sphere or in the base, suchservices measuring forces between the sphere and its mounting. A sensorassembly 43 may be provided, such a sensor assembly being of the sametype of the assembly 25 of FIG. 2d or any other of the sensor assembliesdescribed above.

Another embodiment of the joystick may be used by users who prefer notto grab onto the joystick with more than one finger (or a finger and athumb), as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, but instead to guide thejoystick by placing a single finger on the top of the joystick. Such anembodiment is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the top 51 of the joystick isshaped with a cup-like shape so as to conform to a finger tip. Thus, afinger tip will fit comfortably in the joystick top 51. A sensorassembly 53 may be either the same type as the assembly as of FIG. 2d orany other of the sensor assemblies described above.

In using the above described sensor assembly 25, for example, with thejoystick embodiment of FIG. 3, the sensor assembly 25 of FIG. 2d wouldsense the six degrees of freedom of movement of the joystick (41, 42)instead of that of the key cover 14.

The present invention is not to be limited by the above-describedembodiments but only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A joystick for entering input data into a computer,said joystick being located in between adjacent keys of a plurality ofkeys in a primary typing area of a standard QWERTY keyboard.
 2. Ajoystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein said joystick has a substantiallyspherical handle.
 3. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidjoystick has a substantially cup-shaped handle.
 4. A joystick as claimedin claim 1 wherein all of said keys have the standard spacing of saidstandard QWERTY keyboard, and wherein said adjacent keys include the Gand the H keys of said standard QWERTY keyboard, said keyboard beingnon-split.
 5. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two keys areadjacent thumb-activated keys on a keyboard commonly used in airplanes.6. A joystick as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adjacent keys aremodified only in shape relative to a shape of other keys in saidplurality of keys located in said primary typing area, in order to forma gap between said standardly spaced adjacent keys to accommodate saidjoystick.
 7. A joystick for entering input data into a computer, saidjoystick being located in between two adjacent keys of a plurality ofstandardly spaced keys located in a primary typing area of a standardQWERTY keyboard, said adjacent keys being separated by a gap having awidth that is less than a width of any of said adjacent keys.
 8. Ajoystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein said standardly spaced adjacentkeys are modified only in shape relative to other keys located in theprimary typing area, in order to form said gap to accommodate saidjoystick.
 9. A joystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein said adjacentkeys are alphanumeric keys of said standard QWERTY keyboard.
 10. Ajoystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein a spacing of said adjacent keysis a standard spacing of a keys of a QWERTY keyboard.
 11. A keyboard forentering data into a device, said keyboard being a standard QWERTYkeyboard, and comprising: a plurality of adjacent keys having a standardspacing relative to each other; and a joystick located in between atleast two of said adjacent keys so that said standard spacing ismaintained between said at least two adjacent keys.
 12. A data entrydevice for entering data into a computer, comprising: at least two keys;and a joystick located in between said at least two keys, there being agap between said at least two keys that is less than a width of each ofsaid at least two keys.
 13. In combination:a standard QWERTY keyboardcomprising a plurality of keys located within a primary typing area; anda joystick disposed in between adjacent keys within the primary typingarea of said standard keyboard, said joystick comprising a shaft whichextends vertically from the primary typing area.
 14. The combination ofclaim 13, wherein:said adjacent keys are the G and H keys of saidstandard keyboard.
 15. A computer having a keyboard, wherein saidkeyboard is a standard QWERTY keyboard and comprises: a plurality ofadjacent keys having a standard spacing relative to each other; and ajoystick located in between at least two of said adjacent keys such thatsaid standard spacing is maintained between said at least two adjacentkeys.